The Wycherleys, Love and Other Curses – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Fantasy romance, secrets and magic.
YA book title: The Wycherleys, Love and Other Curses.
YA author: Annaliese Avery.
Genre: Fantasy/Young Adult.
Published by: Simon & Schuster Children’s UK.
ISBN: 9781398536302.
Recommended for children aged: 12+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback January 2026.
This YA book is ideal for: KS3 children who enjoy fantasy, romance and would relish a dark fantasy in a contemporary setting.
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Our review:
Aurelia Wycherley and Jules Nightly embark on the next stage of their magical journey, embracing coven college and the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of advanced magic. As their love becomes stronger and their relationship heats up, so does their bid to formulate their own coven with the objective of resurrecting the Old Magic. They call upon established friendships and new connections to make the twelve needed to create a coven, but there are still secrets hidden amongst them.
Like the first book, the novel is structured around the wheel of the year with banquets and soirees, but these are overshadowed by the dark magic which is edging closer: a creature of shadows and antlers that haunts Wycherley’s dreams and threatens the future of her magic.
As the developing coven discovers a hidden henge, friendships are tested and all are in danger from the dark magic and the toll of Aurelia’s cursed magic.
Our verdict:
The sequel to The Wycherleys is another gripping read with some dramatic and unexpected plot twists. A seamless transition from the first novel, the deepening connection and intensifying romance between Wycherley and Nightly keep the reader spellbound. The concluding revelation provides hope for the third book in the series. Highly enjoyable for those who delight in fantasy worlds, magical adventures and fantasy romance.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster Children’s UK for the review copy.
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